Switching to BABOLAT, can't believe it!

I have such an emotional attachment to Wilson, such a heritage, and to play a French Raquet with no soul.......I just like "Old School", small heavy racquets like our 90.

Yet I can't deny the playability. We demoes a Pure Drive GT, you can hit ANYTHING with it, I mean I can hit anything with any racquet, but it's just SO MUCH EASIER. Heh, I'm not going to compete anymore, why not make it easy on myself.

Much more importantly was when my son played it. Normally he plays the 90 and me the 95, but he was hitting everything, I mean running me around, so we are going to order two with bags.

Incidentelly, I tried the Steam 99S, sorry, but what a joke. I can get more spin with my wood racquet. If you want to hit with huge spin real high and land in at the baseline, and that only, that racquet if for you. Slice I have to admit was awesome, I could hit slice from both sides almost as hard as flat or topspin shots. Just a weird racquet, didn't break the strings thank goodness.

What about the new Head Extreme Pro 2.0 - easier on the arm, more solid feeling. Also the new Pro Kennex Q5...... both good alternatives that achieve the same result but much easier to play with physically.

I switched to the 2013 APD+ this fall after my Jr son went over to it as well and wow what a great stick......the arm issue I'm sorry to say is so overblown! I'm stringing VS mains and RPM or Lux 4g crosses at 60lbs and not one issue. My 15yrs old is using Alu Power Spin at 26kgs....nothing. Also soooooo many of the older folks I play with (45 yrs +) making the switch or did so as well again no one having issues with arm pain.

My opinion for what it's worth is all the younger folks I watch and see playing with he APD and trying to hit every shot as hard as they can with huge crazy spin is what causes arm issues. Yes it's a stiff stick and plugging in a stiff poly is not a perfect match for comfort but the stick itself not the issue.

I was EVER an APD fan in he past - I had used the PSLtd + for years and had just started using the Blade 98 18x20 in Sept - until then that was my fav stick.

I switched to the 2013 APD+ this fall after my Jr son went over to it as well and wow what a great stick......the arm issue I'm sorry to say is so overblown! I'm stringing VS mains and RPM or Lux 4g crosses at 60lbs and not one issue. My 15yrs old is using Alu Power Spin at 26kgs....nothing. Also soooooo many of the older folks I play with (45 yrs +) making the switch or did so as well again no one having issues with arm pain.

My opinion for what it's worth is all the younger folks I watch and see playing with he APD and trying to hit every shot as hard as they can with huge crazy spin is what causes arm issues. Yes it's a stiff stick and plugging in a stiff poly is not a perfect match for comfort but the stick itself not the issue.

I was EVER an APD fan in he past - I had used the PSLtd + for years and had just started using the Blade 98 18x20 in Sept - until then that was my fav stick.

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Fact of the matter is...these chronic arms problems that thousands of players have now didn't exist before people started using these types of racquets (and polys for that matter).

What about the new Head Extreme Pro 2.0 - easier on the arm, more solid feeling. Also the new Pro Kennex Q5...... both good alternatives that achieve the same result but much easier to play with physically.

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I don't know the racquet, but I presume like most Head models it's more of a oval head than round, like the "rounder" surface of the K-95 and the Bab PD.

A lot of " the rkt especially a Babolat hurt my arm" I am a firm believer in technique hurts you more than the rkt. Tennis elbow was around in the wood rkt era, talk about heavy and flexible you certainly were there in the wood age.
I am an above 50 yo player and have used the PDR often since July and on vacations playing 2 to 3 hrs x 7 days and routinely play 5 to 6 hrs a week otherwise, I have had zero elbow issues.
Of course I cross train inluding weights regularly and use very soft string at stiffest champion series with gut in mains at 55 mains and 53 crosses.
So I would not be so quick to castigate the OP and lack of concern for his son( dangerous territory)

A lot of " the rkt especially a Babolat hurt my arm" I am a firm believer in technique hurts you more than the rkt. Tennis elbow was around in the wood rkt era, talk about heavy and flexible you certainly were there in the wood age.
I am an above 50 yo player and have used the PDR often since July and on vacations playing 2 to 3 hrs x 7 days and routinely play 5 to 6 hrs a week otherwise, I have had zero elbow issues.
Of course I cross train inluding weights regularly and use very soft string at stiffest champion series with gut in mains at 55 mains and 53 crosses.
So I would not be so quick to castigate the OP and lack of concern for his son( dangerous territory)

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A 50+ playing with a PD is one thing, as those guys probably aren't taking as full/aggressive swing as they once were. These guys can finish off their twilight years with a PD and not regret it too much...

On the other hand, a young boy starting his tennis career with a PD and continuing to use it might feel the effects a bit more once he logs in some years...I think that point is pretty well substantiated on these forums...

Then how would you explain players having arm problems with one racquet and then NOT having it with another. I guess these players ONLY use poor technique when playing with Babolat racquets, then magically swing correctly when using a softer ProK...get real guys.

Then how would you explain players having arm problems with one racquet and then NOT having it with another. I guess these players ONLY use poor technique when playing with Babolat racquets, then magically swing correctly when using a softer ProK...get real guys.

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Just like any other form of tendonitis, some people are much more susceptible to it; and the stiffer racquet could aggravate their arm, while having no effect on someone who is not susceptible to tendonitis.

I have Insertional Achilles tendonitis, and wearing overly flexible shoes without much padding causes me great pain, while other people can go their whole lives wearing those types of shoes and not have any issues.

It's just genetics. Now at the same time I've used extremely stiff racquets for the last 12 years with absolutely no elbow issues.

Pure drive and APDGT are good racquets as long as you have a right technique and not arm the ball, also using the right string setups. If you are just arming the ball like %95 of the tennis players do and use one of that babolat frames, than you will not play tennis for a long time.

A lot of " the rkt especially a Babolat hurt my arm" I am a firm believer in technique hurts you more than the rkt. Tennis elbow was around in the wood rkt era, talk about heavy and flexible you certainly were there in the wood age.
I am an above 50 yo player and have used the PDR often since July and on vacations playing 2 to 3 hrs x 7 days and routinely play 5 to 6 hrs a week otherwise, I have had zero elbow issues.
Of course I cross train inluding weights regularly and use very soft string at stiffest champion series with gut in mains at 55 mains and 53 crosses.
So I would not be so quick to castigate the OP and lack of concern for his son( dangerous territory)

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Exactly, people play then turn around and blame everyone but themselves.

I started with a wood racquet, never hurt myself, right technique and growing into it, no problem.

Bottom line, which I can't believe I'm saying, is that we are playing BABOLATS, have to admit they are AWESOME, never thought those words would come out of my mouth.

All the complaints posted on this board about Babs are worthless and has got to be taken with a grain of salt. Looking at the sales figures and just how many folks are using them..........in tourneys and even at the club level - even the pros - yes they are world class athletes but just look how many are now using PDs and APDs.....check out a futures or challenge event freaking Babs everywhere - if they cause so much damage no one would use them.

Then how would you explain players having arm problems with one racquet and then NOT having it with another. I guess these players ONLY use poor technique when playing with Babolat racquets, then magically swing correctly when using a softer ProK...get real guys.

So if I was planning on getting a Dunlop AEROGEL 4D 300 (to replace using Mfil 300s) is there any Babalot racquet I'd be smart to consider? Which one? I'm a solid 3.5, 46yo guy, looking for good mix of control and medium-ish power and feel pretty comfortable in the 11.0 to 11.5 oz. Range.

So if I was planning on getting a Dunlop AEROGEL 4D 300 (to replace using Mfil 300s) is there any Babalot racquet I'd be smart to consider? Which one? I'm a solid 3.5, 46yo guy, looking for good mix of control and medium-ish power and feel pretty comfortable in the 11.0 to 11.5 oz. Range.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

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Just TRY the Bab Pure Drive GT, you should always demo. Look, I'm a "Old School", Wilson small head fan and can't stand Babolat, but it was so good it overode all emotional considerations.

All the complaints posted on this board about Babs are worthless and has got to be taken with a grain of salt. Looking at the sales figures and just how many folks are using them..........in tourneys and even at the club level - even the pros - yes they are world class athletes but just look how many are now using PDs and APDs.....check out a futures or challenge event freaking Babs everywhere - if they cause so much damage no one would use them.

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Some people just like to go around causing a ruckus, probably have nothing in life but a chip on their shoulder, can never say anything positive and happy.

Yea, if more people play Babs it would make sense more would have arm problems. I get SO SICK of hearing of arm problems, I have golfers elbow probably for life, I mean it won't go away, from a soft Wilson, who do I blame? No one, not any more than I would a shoe manufacturer because they have one inch height and I turn my ankle. People LOVE to blame others, it's a national pastime here in America

So if I was planning on getting a Dunlop AEROGEL 4D 300 (to replace using Mfil 300s) is there any Babalot racquet I'd be smart to consider? Which one? I'm a solid 3.5, 46yo guy, looking for good mix of control and medium-ish power and feel pretty comfortable in the 11.0 to 11.5 oz. Range.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

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Try Pure Storm. Its shape and size is the closest match. Give it 57# tension and you're set!

IMO, Babolat makes great rackets, better paint jobs than Wilson and certainly better categorized than Wilson, which has way too many and confusing garden variety, eg so many blades, Open/Juice, 95ssss...

OP is way too dramatic! I have played with so many Babs, never gotten any elbow issues. Give them 100sq or 98sq sticks low tension polys like 52#, swing like you're pulling/dragging a heavy load and the result is extremely rewarding.

I have also Speed and Radical, hit alot muter and "harden" feel as opposed to APDGT, PDGT's loud and absorbing, but they're also great.

If you have played tennis long enough, you should know how to dial in the desired hoop weight and handle weight and balance for you.

Try Pure Storm. Its shape and size is the closest match. Give it 57# tension and you're set!

IMO, Babolat makes great rackets, better paint jobs than Wilson and certainly better categorized than Wilson, which has way too many and confusing garden variety, eg so many blades, Open/Juice, 95ssss...

OP is way too dramatic! I have played with so many Babs, never gotten any elbow issues. Give them 100sq or 98sq sticks low tension polys like 52#, swing like you're pulling/dragging a heavy load and the result is extremely rewarding.

I have also Speed and Radical, hit alot muter and "harden" feel as opposed to APDGT, PDGT's loud and absorbing, but they're also great.

If you have played tennis long enough, you should know how to dial in the desired hoop weight and handle weight and balance for you.

To the OP, if your post is sincere, then congratulations. I think its commendable to search for something new that is starkly outside of one's comfort zone.

If you passively observe the comments on this board, I think you'll get a very skewed perspective on racquets. First, it appears as though a significant portion of the posters here (if not the majority, if not the vast majority) took to tennis and developed their game in the 1970s-1990s. This inherently leads to a preference for "players frames" - thin, relatively heavy, soft flex, small head size, etc., etc. This commonly results in the recommendation of such frames, which after a certain period of time has turned into gospel. What's remarkable, however, is that there is no mention that while these racquets are great for a certain style of play (i.e. the flat hitter - employing spin or not), there are better options out there for those who employ a modern stroke. To be fair, the corollary is correct - if you're a classic style, or an all-courter, there are much better options than the PD or APDs.

You'll then have people claiming that the use of Babolats give rise to arm injuries. Absent, again, is the consideration of such injury and the use of a modern stroke. Instead, you'll have someone trying to use these racquets (of course, strung with Poly at Rafa specs) as they would use an old graphite master with natural gut - only to be amazed that their arms hurt after a bit. Well, duh. Admittedly, Babolat doesn't say these racquets can only be used for uber-spin windshield wiper strokes with a western grip, but that's as implied as someone with such a stroke finding the Pro Staff reissue (for example) as less than stellar.

Finally, the claim of feel. Should a racquet have great feel upon purchase? Yes, preferable so, but it could be argued that the PD or APD (in particular) are more akin to a plat-form frame. It's not rocket science - there's a reason virtually all pro-stock frames are filled with silicone. Shockingly, however, few of the people on here have tried or will try an APD with silicone before passing judgment on "feel." Here's a hint - it's not dissimilar to the transformation a TGK or TGT frame enjoys relative to its retail brethren. Don't believe me? Try to lead-up and silicone an APD or PD to the 12.5 oz range - one of the sweetest hitting experiences I've enjoyed. This while allowing you the opportunity to avoid dealing with the sellers of pro-stock frames, such as the shadowy character founds on String Forum for instance.

We all have our perceptions and perspectives. Again, it's nice to see someone move past theirs in an effort to improve their game.

That was my recommendation for the guy who wants a babolat that's similar to the dunlop that he's gonna get. The babolat is more glamourous and trendy than the dunlop for sure!

Anyway as far as rec player is concerned, biased preference should be first priority. If I like Babolat I won't touch Wilson at all, and i know how to make Babolat great for me as i could with any brand I like. There's nothing ...significant as to claim "wow I can't believe I just tried ______"

I really love the Pure Drive and think the newest PDR is incredible. The main issue for me is the stiffness. I played a lot of contact sports, fell off bikes and punched a few too many people in the face in my day, so softer is better for me. The PDR has a really nice sweet spot, but I prefer old school ball feel where you really feel connected. The Pure Storm has that for me.

Also, I with a lot of spin anyway so I prefer sticks that make me flatten the ball out a little.

I just crave control over anything. The softer closed pattern racquets are best at that.

I really love the Pure Drive and think the newest PDR is incredible. The main issue for me is the stiffness. I played a lot of contact sports, fell off bikes and punched a few too many people in the face in my day, so softer is better for me. The PDR has a really nice sweet spot, but I prefer old school ball feel where you really feel connected. The Pure Storm has that for me.

Also, I with a lot of spin anyway so I prefer sticks that make me flatten the ball out a little.

I just crave control over anything. The softer closed pattern racquets are best at that.

Just jumped on the forum to post about a paintjob when I saw this thread. After a lifetime of Wilson (6.0 85 then the later N-Code 90) I have just received a batch of Babolat frames (Pure Storm GT). Haven't even tried them out, let alone held them, so it should be interesting.

Frames arrived yesterday and the grommets are already out in preparation for stripping, weighting and painting. Undecided on colour at the moment, a mix of gloss black and matt black might be the way to go.

I really love the Pure Drive and think the newest PDR is incredible. The main issue for me is the stiffness. I played a lot of contact sports, fell off bikes and punched a few too many people in the face in my day, so softer is better for me. The PDR has a really nice sweet spot, but I prefer old school ball feel where you really feel connected. The Pure Storm has that for me.

Also, I with a lot of spin anyway so I prefer sticks that make me flatten the ball out a little.

I just crave control over anything. The softer closed pattern racquets are best at that.

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The above quote touches on a key point ones individual preferences.
I have played with both pure storm tour( non GT ) and a great rkt, if I am set up great footwork I can play a very effective game. However Tennis is a game of put the ball where your opponent is not, so I have given the edge tp PDR allows me to create offense out of defense , also the PDR is a more penetrating rkt especially on serve and hence this rkt allows me to win more bottom line.
Also interesting statement in this thread about majority developed their tennis 1970 to 90, how accurate I don't know, but I did not track and triathlons major endeavors of my youth. So when I started Tennis and took lessons Agassi was a model I adopted semi western grip on FH wind shield wiper forehand 2 handed BH So again as the qouter of this comment old school VS modern again goes to my theory of technique rules but fitness and genetic tendency also comes to play

To the OP, if your post is sincere, then congratulations. I think its commendable to search for something new that is starkly outside of one's comfort zone.

If you passively observe the comments on this board, I think you'll get a very skewed perspective on racquets. First, it appears as though a significant portion of the posters here (if not the majority, if not the vast majority) took to tennis and developed their game in the 1970s-1990s. This inherently leads to a preference for "players frames" - thin, relatively heavy, soft flex, small head size, etc., etc. This commonly results in the recommendation of such frames, which after a certain period of time has turned into gospel. What's remarkable, however, is that there is no mention that while these racquets are great for a certain style of play (i.e. the flat hitter - employing spin or not), there are better options out there for those who employ a modern stroke. To be fair, the corollary is correct - if you're a classic style, or an all-courter, there are much better options than the PD or APDs.

You'll then have people claiming that the use of Babolats give rise to arm injuries. Absent, again, is the consideration of such injury and the use of a modern stroke. Instead, you'll have someone trying to use these racquets (of course, strung with Poly at Rafa specs) as they would use an old graphite master with natural gut - only to be amazed that their arms hurt after a bit. Well, duh. Admittedly, Babolat doesn't say these racquets can only be used for uber-spin windshield wiper strokes with a western grip, but that's as implied as someone with such a stroke finding the Pro Staff reissue (for example) as less than stellar.

Finally, the claim of feel. Should a racquet have great feel upon purchase? Yes, preferable so, but it could be argued that the PD or APD (in particular) are more akin to a plat-form frame. It's not rocket science - there's a reason virtually all pro-stock frames are filled with silicone. Shockingly, however, few of the people on here have tried or will try an APD with silicone before passing judgment on "feel." Here's a hint - it's not dissimilar to the transformation a TGK or TGT frame enjoys relative to its retail brethren. Don't believe me? Try to lead-up and silicone an APD or PD to the 12.5 oz range - one of the sweetest hitting experiences I've enjoyed. This while allowing you the opportunity to avoid dealing with the sellers of pro-stock frames, such as the shadowy character founds on String Forum for instance.

We all have our perceptions and perspectives. Again, it's nice to see someone move past theirs in an effort to improve their game.

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Yea that's kind of the point of this thread, that I'm "Old School", all court player, only will play smaller, heavy racquets, it's emotional. I simply admit that even though I don't like Bab, and don't have a so called "Modern Stroke", I'm one handed eastern everything, I simply love the racquet, it does everything the rest does but more. The power doesn't bother me as I can keep it in, just a great racquet, again can't believe I'm playing a Bab

Yep, they'll be getting no free advertising from me. These modern frames tend to have hideous looking paint jobs with branding all over the place. I can do without all of that. Ironically though, more people come over to ask what frame I am using when they are sprayed up.

I had a hit with a Pro Staff 95 Classic which felt almost as good as my favourite frame of all time (PS 6.0 85). I thought I'd grab a batch of earlier model 6.1 95 and spray them up. They were selling for peanuts, but annoyingly Wilson had withdrawn them from sale when I got around to ordering. Decided to give the Babolat frames a try instead, and with them costing about the same price as a few tins of balls (assuming you are not from the U.S, land of wonderfully priced sport equipment) the deal was sealed! Paying $125+ more because they've changed a horrible paint job to another horrible paint job wasn't going to happen.

Racquet companies really should be called to task for their blatantly deceiving marketing. I understand that you can't sell the same looking frame forever, but making it look like the pros are using the "latest and greatest" is a step too far IMO.

First thoughts: It's the first time I've so much as held a frame with such an enormous headsize. 95 was already pushing the limits of acceptability for me. However with it sitting beside me now, the 98 doesn't look too bad with nothing around to compare it to. Still to be re-gripped in leather, weighted etc. as the frame is far too light in stock form.

Deciding on the paint job at the moment. Heart says something wild, maybe a scheme inspired by the Jeff Koons BMW art car or another motorsport colour scheme, head says keep them guessing with a stealth gloss and matt black effort. I might put a thread together on this if I get someone handy to spray them once I've stripped them. My previous efforts (sprayed by hand) looked good from far, but were far from good. Quite liked the rough finish though, they looked like they meant business

I started playing tennis with PDR and developed TE in two years. After switching to Prince Exo Tour, my TE is gone. The other day, I tried PDR again and I experienced the same thing you did. Everything is easy with this racket. Free power and a lot of spin. I hope PDR with full bed of natural gut wouldn't give me TE this time.

So you're telling me all those times you absolutely trashed anyone and everyone who used a bab (and there were many times) you'd never actually hit with one? You really are hypocrisy personified.

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You clearly are not intelligent enought to understand basic communication, as a typical know it all who doesn't actually listen, what you don't understand is that I said I was against people who use large size racquets to make up for their deficiencies in play.

That is the point of the post, something you can't understand. The "Amazing" part is that the large size racquets aren't just for those like you who can't play, but they have all the benefits in this case of smaller players racquets with the benefits not lost of smaller.

So please, you and your ilk read before you keep making a fool of yourself.

By the way to all, where do these people come from? Is this is what is meant by "Troll"? Someone who follows you around looking to try to make a person look bad? What is a "Troll", oh I know, a 5.5 player like me should know, right?

Sorry, should ignore these no-life morons, but sometimes......

PS: If you read this, you would know I HAD PLAYED THIS EXACT RACQUET BEFORE IDIOT

I started playing tennis with PDR and developed TE in two years. After switching to Prince Exo Tour, my TE is gone. The other day, I tried PDR again and I experienced the same thing you did. Everything is easy with this racket. Free power and a lot of spin. I hope PDR with full bed of natural gut wouldn't give me TE this time.

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I would LOVE to play Babs and the newer hi power frames. I just can't as they hurt my wrist and forearm. I have a Bab PD GT that is pretty killer but unless I want my wrist to hurt for days after I can't use it.

So I've developed an appreciation for the old school, arm and wrist friendly sticks like Donnay and Prince POGs and Borons.

Which hit wonderfully solid balls so I'm not missing a ton. I do truthfully miss the insane power and spin from my RipSticks. But my old wrist does not :|

I would LOVE to play Babs and the newer hi power frames. I just can't as they hurt my wrist and forearm. I have a Bab PD GT that is pretty killer but unless I want my wrist to hurt for days after I can't use it.

So I've developed an appreciation for the old school, arm and wrist friendly sticks like Donnay and Prince POGs and Borons.

Which hit wonderfully solid balls so I'm not missing a ton. I do truthfully miss the insane power and spin from my RipSticks. But my old wrist does not :|

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In the time you took to write this and other posts, play tennis, why not work your arm?

Why do so many wish to play tennis, then complain that there are results from it?

I have, PERMANTELY, as far as I can tell, golfers elbow, not that I golf, but the opposite side of my arm hurts, and it's weak, yet you will see the report from my local guy that I still jam.

Sissies should not play any sports, period, I mean you actually would rather switch racquets then work out your arm?